Authorities in Gaza have confirmed the first two cases of novel coronavirus, identifying them as Palestinians who had travelled to Pakis­tan and were being held in quarantine since their return.

The United Nations has warned that a Covid-19 outbreak in Gaza could be disastrous, given the high poverty rates and weak health system in the coastal strip under Israeli blockade since 2007.

Following the confirmed cases, a World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation arrived in Gaza to assess the situation, a Palestinian security source said.

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